3ABN On the Road

Project Reports- Members In Action (Thursday Evening)

Three Angels Broadcasting Network

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Series Code: OTR

Program Code: OTR000742


00:58 Good evening every one!
01:02 Welcome once again to ASI
01:05 the Adventist laymen's Services and Industries general
01:08 convention of 2006.
01:10 And welcome to Texas you all.
01:14 Glad you came.
01:16 You're gonna hear some more good music,
01:17 you're gonna hear some good preaching,
01:19 you're gonna hear some members in action,
01:21 but before we do that
01:22 we want to talk about some projects
01:24 that you made possible,
01:26 last year.
01:28 And first off we're gonna talk with Steve Dickman
01:30 Steve, you are an ASI officer, aren't you?
01:34 Yes, that's right Cal,
01:35 Ok, I'm president of the Southern Union Chapter
01:37 Ok. We've worked together a little bit
01:39 Amen. And you have with you, your brother
01:42 This is my brother, Randal
01:43 he is the administrator for a nursing home
01:46 there at Harbert Hills Academy.
01:47 Ok. And what do you do during the day?
01:49 I'm the president and general business manager
01:52 for Harbert Hills Academy
01:53 We have the school, the 49 bed nursing-home
01:56 we have fifty thousand watt radio station
02:00 a bakery and a farm and a few other things that we do.
02:03 Ok, tell me just a little bit about
02:05 what ASI was able to help you, accomplish this last year
02:10 ASI has been very generous with Harbert Hills Academy
02:13 over the years and its radio ministry.
02:15 And we appreciate that, I want to say a big thank you
02:18 to the family here at ASI.
02:20 And this most recent project was to raise our tower height
02:26 from 150 feet to 500 feet
02:29 So along the way, naturally
02:32 when you start doing something for the Lord, you know what?
02:35 The devil gets involved. Absolutely.
02:37 And we were in the process of building this tower
02:40 actually we have got a used tower out of Florida
02:44 and we didn't know it at the time
02:45 but that used tower had a structural flaw in it
02:48 and when we had it to the height of 300 feet
02:52 it ended up that we had to take it all back down
02:54 because of a structural failure
02:56 And of course that was a rather disheartening experience
02:59 as you might imagine.
03:01 And so ASI assisted us with some funds to
03:05 actually procure a new tower
03:07 which has been an extremely large blessing
03:10 and we are now broadcasting from a new, 500 ft tower
03:14 from our studios there.
03:15 ok, tell me what can you do with this tower
03:18 that you couldn't do previously?
03:20 Well, we're able to give a better signal
03:23 to many of the folks in our listening area
03:25 and we've actually been able to extend our listening area
03:29 in a few places
03:31 so it's covering a larger listening audience
03:34 than it did before.
03:35 You've got some fantastic stories to tell
03:37 about the radio station, I wanna hear a couple of them.
03:39 Well, you're right Cal, you know
03:41 radio is more than just steel and concrete
03:45 and towers and all of the equipment that it takes
03:48 to make it work. That's right.
03:49 Radio is really about ministering to people
03:52 and I've invited my brother Randal here this evening
03:55 to share, first of all a personal testimony
03:58 and some other stories about what radio means to people
04:04 I want to say this evening that this station
04:06 has been a blessing to my life.
04:08 I've been listening to this station since 1975
04:11 and I get hope and courage by listening to this station.
04:16 And I've recently had a tragedy in my life
04:19 my wife of 22 years passed away
04:21 this recent spring
04:23 in April.
04:24 And a blow like that can either turn us closer to God
04:27 or can turn us further away from God.
04:30 I chose to use this experience to draw closer to God
04:34 and it's been a tremendous blessing in my life
04:38 to give me the hope and courage that our Savior is coming soon
04:41 and we want to be ready for His coming each and every day.
04:44 Our programs are hope filled
04:47 they're filled with the message of Jesus Christ
04:49 And my wife loved this station, it was dear to her heart
04:54 she supported it, we supported it together
04:56 she listened to it every time we got in the car
04:59 when she was in the car by herself
05:01 she spoke of it often, she loved It is Written
05:04 Voice of Prophecy,
05:06 but the ministry of the music was something very special
05:10 to her heart.
05:11 So I'm very hopeful for the fact that she died
05:14 in the knowledge of our Savior, Jesus
05:17 and that I will see her on Resurrection day
05:20 This is what the station has meant to me personally
05:23 and I've had some other experiences
05:25 as administrator of our nursing home
05:28 I've had many contacts with people
05:30 that have come through there
05:31 just the other day a family was touring the nursing home
05:34 and after the tour was over we began to talk, personally
05:38 about some things that were important to her and to us
05:42 and she off-handedly mentioned:
05:45 You know, I listen to your program every single day
05:48 and I was very suprized by that
05:50 she hadn't mentioned anything of that nature before
05:52 and I asked her: What is your favorite program?
05:55 and she said: The Story Hour
05:57 and she was: I hate to admit that being as old as I am
06:01 that The Story Hour is my favorite program
06:03 and I said well, I'm right along with you
06:06 I have to say the same thing
06:07 The Story Hour is my favorite part of the program too
06:11 and it's great to listen to the stories of the Bible characters
06:15 of the past and how God has lead them
06:18 You know, if He can lead them He can lead you and I
06:20 to a closer walk with God.
06:23 Randy, there's something interesting about that
06:26 we're not just reaching out to individuals
06:28 we're also reaching out to pastors in our communities
06:31 We are in contact with over 200 non-Adventist pastors
06:35 trough a news letter and other means of communication
06:38 Share with us briefly about a certain pastor
06:41 that has been impacted by the ministry of WDNX.
06:44 We were broadcasting a complete series
06:47 of Evangelistic meetings that Jason Morgan was putting on
06:51 here at our local church
06:53 and as he was putting these meetings on
06:55 we were broadcasting them twice a day
06:57 one in the morning, one in the evening
06:59 make sure that everybody had a chance to listen
07:02 this pastor heard the message
07:04 he called after a few days,
07:05 our pastor went to his church
07:07 and visited him, the upshot of all the thing is that
07:11 his whole church now is worshipping on Sabbath.
07:14 and I tell you it just warms your heart to realize that
07:17 God is still working in our world today
07:20 He is still influencing people for the Kingdom
07:23 and our message and our idea here is:
07:26 impacting people for eternity.
07:29 well, you know Cal...
07:35 the radio world is changing today
07:37 there's a lot of things now that are available
07:40 that didn't use to be available
07:41 computers run almost everything, a lot of technology there
07:44 But WDNX is moving upward and onward
07:47 we've applied for a couple of other construction permits
07:50 we've procured one of those
07:52 and we're actually getting ready to build up
07:54 one more translator station in the local listening area.
07:59 Next guest, I don't need to introduce Dick
08:01 but I will, If you have watched 3ABN
08:04 you know that he's on there.
08:06 Your program is:
08:07 Body and Spirit. That's right. Where are you from Dick?
08:10 The Black Hills of South Dakota.
08:12 ok. Maybe there is somebody here that
08:16 maybe there is somebody here that doesn't know you
08:19 I know that we have done a little bit of banner before
08:22 up front, and I've asked you your age before
08:25 could you tell me that again?
08:27 I'm gonna be 51 real quick.
08:28 You can still lift a Volkswagen over your head, right?
08:30 I'm a little bit smaller, I don't know if you can tell
08:35 but from the last time that we were together here on the stage
08:38 But you're hairier.
08:41 You know what they said about Abraham Lincoln
08:43 that he looked weird without the beard
08:46 I've tried it but it hasn't helped
08:48 but I will say this, that I've lost about 40 pounds
08:52 and I've done it by doing what you tell people to do
08:56 Right? That's right.
08:57 And it's all been hard work too. I can tell you that.
09:01 About how many guests can you have at Black Hills?
09:04 Well we're having about 25 a month
09:06 so we've really been blessed.
09:07 And it's pretty full all the time. That's right.
09:09 That's a full house for us.
09:11 Tell me what ASI has been helping you with
09:14 in the last year.
09:15 One of the problems we had is that we didn't have enough room
09:17 to handle people who could not climb steps
09:20 And so ASI helped us to build an expansion
09:22 so now we can do treatments and house guests
09:25 on a lower level and it's worked out really well
09:28 We had a woman come out
09:29 who had been in a wheel-chair for 9 months
09:30 because of her rheumatoid arthritis
09:32 and she hadn't moved from that chair
09:34 three weeks later, at graduation, she got up and
09:37 walked to take her diploma. Amen
09:38 You've told me a few other stories
09:41 when we were talking before,
09:42 I wonder if you could tell us another one
09:44 Which ones?
09:45 You were talking about all the people that you've helped
09:48 and you did talk about the woman that hadn't walked for a while
09:51 but you also talked about someone
09:52 that had a problem with their ankle.
09:53 But I'll let you figure it out.
09:55 When a woman come out that had some ankle problems.
09:58 And she had gone through a very bad traffic accident
10:01 and she came to the center and was there for two months
10:04 and the second month of the program
10:06 her boyfriend came and stayed with her
10:07 in different rooms, ok?
10:09 and when they went back home
10:11 I understood right after they got back home
10:13 they were both baptized
10:14 in fact we've had five baptisms already this year
10:16 through this program because we're reaching out
10:18 to a group of people who may not go to an evangelistic crusade
10:22 but you have them one on one
10:24 and you can work with them through that measure
10:26 so many souls are coming to the Lord
10:28 That is something that I wanted to bring out
10:30 There are some people who question
10:32 the aspect of weather a life style centre
10:35 talking about health really isn't ministry
10:38 and it really is a ministry in a lot of ways
10:41 the way that we can minister to other people
10:43 is not just simply helping them get better health
10:47 but also in leading them closer to Christ
10:49 Absolutely. Right.
10:52 How did Jesus go through His ministry
10:53 the first thing He did was go out
10:55 take care of the physical needs of the people
10:57 and that opened the doors to minister to them
10:59 I know all of us who study the advent message know
11:02 know what the health message is
11:03 it's the right hand of our third angels message
11:06 so when we look at having a healthy body
11:09 your healthy body is a living, walking testimony
11:14 to how you're living.
11:16 Amen. You know
11:17 you mentioned to me that there are some people who look at you
11:21 and say: You know, Dick, you must do a lot of weight lifting
11:24 o whole lot of exercising and the must be the only way
11:27 that you can keep up your health
11:28 is that true? No, it's not.
11:30 Once upon a time I used to work out four hours a day
11:33 seven days a week and worked out with such people
11:35 as Arnold Schwarzenegger, as we know the governator
11:37 and now I lift weighs three times a week for 15 minutes
11:40 and we're lifting that weight for the last 15 years
11:43 and I actually got much stronger doing that
11:45 than I ever did by doing the 4 hours a day 7 days a week
11:49 that was before my advental days
11:50 so I wasn't working out on Sabbath
11:52 and your diet is...
11:53 Well, I'm a total vegetarian
11:54 I only eat twice a day
11:56 and I've been doing that for about 25 years
11:58 but once upon a time before that
12:00 I used to eat three pounds of meat, a gallon of milk
12:02 and have snacks every day.
12:03 Ok and would you say that you're a little healthier today?
12:07 I'm a little bit healthier but
12:08 honestly I got stronger eating the vegetarian way
12:12 than I ever did eating the animal products
12:13 so if you wonder how that works read Daniel 1 all over again
12:17 you'll figure it out. OK, very good.
12:20 Well, in parting is there something that you'd like to say
12:23 to the ASI members here that are gathered
12:26 they made possible your project?
12:28 I'd like to thank you very much
12:31 and pitch about get out there and exercise in the morning.
12:33 That's right.
12:35 He does have an exercise program in the morning.
12:37 But of course if you're already way too fit,
12:40 if you're already too strong, and you have no pains at all
12:42 than you don't need to came and see me
12:44 and exercise in the morning
12:45 but if you need to lose a few pounds
12:46 and need to get feeling good again
12:48 you should be out there.
12:49 But anyway, I'd like to thank ASI for your support
12:51 of the Black Hill Southern Education Centre
12:54 awesome things are happening, God has blessed us richly
12:59 and despite our own humancy, He just keeps blessing and blessing
13:02 Thank you ASI because without you
13:03 there would be some souls that would not be in the Kingdom.
13:06 Amen, thank you so much!
13:09 With me now is Mike Jones
13:12 Mike tell me a little bit about who you're working with and
13:14 and what your project is.
13:16 I work for Voice of Prophecy, the last three years
13:20 and we have a little entity called Operation Reconnect
13:23 we're trying to reach out to the many hundreds and thousands
13:26 of inactive former members who are no longer active in church
13:30 Interesting. You have some personal experience
13:34 in this area. Don't you?
13:35 Well I was out of the church for sixteen years, so
13:38 that gave me some credentials I guess
13:40 for reaching out to people like myself.
13:42 That's right. That's true.
13:44 What exactly do you do to do this reconnecting?
13:47 Well, thanks to the generous contributions of ASI
13:51 we have created a news letter called Getting in Touch
13:55 that goes off three times a year to inactive and former members
13:59 and any of the folks here that'd like to
14:01 get their loved ones name, who might be inactive in church
14:05 it's called reconnectnow. org
14:08 we also have created a DVD of former members who've come back
14:14 that's really inspiring to share with people
14:17 who are inactive themselves right now.
14:19 and we've created a lot of different things
14:21 in case that people want to come by
14:23 and visit the Voice Prophecy booth
14:25 we'd be glad to share those with them
14:27 we have another DVD that Lonnie and Jeannie Melashenko did for
14:31 us to help our churches become more user friendly
14:33 when the inactive and former members show up
14:36 it might be likely to want to come back again
14:38 because they'll feel so loved.
14:39 Good, good. Well now, you
14:41 you wanted to talk a little bit on the personal level
14:45 and you had mentioned that your son also
14:48 has recently come back to the church
14:51 perhaps you could introduce that a little bit
14:53 well, I have three sons, two of them left the church
14:57 and the two of them had come back
15:01 one of them came back in February and it's been a joy
15:03 we've seen thousands of people
15:05 starting to come back to the church
15:07 in recent years, it's just been wonderful
15:09 but it's really personal when it's your own kid
15:12 and I have a 43 year old son and he's here tonight
15:16 Lonnie Melashenko from Voice of Prophecy
15:18 to interview him and just tell the story
15:21 so that you can hear one story
15:23 of the hundreds and thousands that are out there
15:25 and they'll come and share that story with you right now.
15:33 You were out of the church for how many years?
15:35 Approximately 23 years
15:37 23 years.
15:39 You know that Gods' messenger to this church
15:42 says that in the very last days before the loud cry
15:45 many of those who want to walk with us will come back
15:48 it's one of the missionary projects of the ASI folks
15:52 going venturing with The Voice of Prophecy
15:54 What were the factors that brought you back to the church
15:58 because you not only came back, you've been recently baptized
16:01 What brought you back?
16:06 It was a slow process, but it was probably one day
16:09 when my 11 year old son asked me about Revelation
16:13 he had some questions about the church
16:15 and I didn't have any answers for him
16:17 and I knew I was doing both of my sons a great disservice
16:21 by not having them in the church
16:23 so they could make educated decisions down the road about
16:26 religion, their own lives and their own directions
16:30 in regards to the Lord.
16:32 And after 23years there was a deterioration of your own life
16:37 your own habits, your relationship in your marriage
16:40 and the kids saw nothing, they've never been to church
16:43 No, never.
16:44 What was happening in your own personal life, at you job
16:47 in your marriage in particular?
16:49 Well I was in a lot of working all the time,
16:52 I was trying to attain all the things that you think
16:55 are gonna make you happy in life
16:57 and was finding that difficult
17:00 my marriage had gone down the drain
17:04 it was in the pits. Yes.
17:06 My wife and I had been to counseling
17:08 a year prior, kind of worked things out
17:10 I said, I'll give it another shot,
17:12 but if it deteriorates again
17:14 I'm done, about a year later it deteriorated again
17:18 it got really bad
17:20 she was unhappy, I was unhappy
17:22 we were both resentful
17:24 we both didn't like each other
17:26 it was pretty bad.
17:27 So you were just about ready to divorce?
17:29 But something happened that was a major God moment for you
17:34 it had something to do with Roger Morneau
17:37 and the prayer ministry that your dad was engaging for you
17:40 you didn't know about it, but it had to do with an anointing
17:44 what happened there that was so amazing?
17:45 I was done with my marriage, I told my wife that,
17:48 she called my dad
17:49 my dad called me and said
17:52 we'd like to come anoint you, and I was like
17:55 Ok sure. You know, I didn't want my wife to be able to
17:57 say I didn't do everything to make the marriage work
18:00 I didn't really believed that
18:02 there was going to be a difference from it
18:04 but my dad came down with his wife
18:06 they anointed my wife and I and
18:08 I wondered for years if there really was a God
18:11 if it was true and I'm here to tell you today
18:14 that I had this sense of peace and calm come over me
18:18 like nothing I've ever experienced, all my anger
18:22 resentment, my hatred towards my wife
18:26 it was just gone, instantly.
18:28 That anointing was a miracle.
18:30 Yeah, and I knew than that there was a God
18:33 there's no way that happens and it's not a divine intervention
18:38 Many of these folks here, tonight
18:40 sat in the seminar in Sacramento, last year
18:43 when your dad brought you in the classroom and said
18:45 this is one of the examples we need to try to reach
18:49 What happened on February 18 of this year?
18:52 Myself and my two boys were baptized.
18:56 Amen.
18:58 And he's sharing his story.
19:01 And we'd like to have you, please
19:03 come by the booth tonight or tomorrow morning
19:06 Mike Jones, right here, from Texas
19:08 will be more than happy to share with you
19:09 his journey, but what would you say to people out there
19:12 there are a million or more Adventists today
19:15 who don't have their families, they don't have their children
19:18 what would you say to these folks out there
19:19 in terms of how to get them back?
19:21 I would say to keep praying, be supportive
19:25 but don't be pushy.
19:27 Because the harder you push the harder you drive them
19:31 and from my own, personal experience
19:34 the more we're gonna turn and go the other way
19:36 so just be supportive and just be there
19:38 and just trust in God, He'll do His work
19:41 like He did on me.
19:42 A big thank you to Mike Jones. Let's welcome him back.
19:45 God bless you Mike.
19:46 Thank you so much.
19:47 We have four great stories for you this evening
19:50 about how ASI members are being active
19:53 in sharing Christ in their market place.
19:56 I have with me this evening
19:58 Doctor Michael Hasel and Rusty McKee.
20:01 Our topic this evening is biblical archeology.
20:05 But don't get up and leave yet.
20:07 Rusty, I understand you had a recent opportunity
20:11 to participate in a biblical archeology tour
20:15 in Israel. Tell us a bit about your personal experience.
20:18 There we were about twenty or thirty of us
20:21 in the rural area of Israel
20:24 the beautiful hill, grassy valley and rolly hills
20:27 and than Dr. Holston starts reading the Scripture
20:31 he's reading about David and Goliath
20:33 and I'm just enjoying the view
20:35 and than he ends up saying:
20:37 and this is where David trusted God
20:41 and Goliath was killed.
20:45 And than this chill just went through my spine
20:47 and I was just thrilled
20:49 all this in the Bible
20:50 and this story you've heard since your childhood
20:52 come to life.
20:53 And you're trying to pick up what's over here and over here
20:56 and he describes it's either this valley here or there
20:59 you're looking at what they would have seen too
21:02 Well than the doubt had to hit
21:04 and I was like: no no no, how do you know that?
21:06 Than he continues to tell from an archeological standpoint
21:09 what has been found and why everything lines up
21:12 and points out to be: this is the valley
21:16 Wow, what a powerful experience Rusty
21:19 Dr. Hasel just tell us a little bit about
21:22 what's happening in the field of biblical archeology right now.
21:26 Biblical archeology is a field that is in crisis actually
21:30 is a field that right now is facing some difficulties
21:36 We have been in a transition time in the last twenty years
21:39 where the Bible has been divorced from archeology
21:42 in the secular world in which we live
21:44 and many more scholars today, biblical scholars
21:48 are turning to archeology to try to figure out
21:51 what parts of the Bible actually happened,
21:53 what parts didn't.
21:55 Even though we have this secularization of disciplines
21:58 so there's a real need and a real value
22:02 of reconnecting with the Bible
22:04 and bringing these two disciplines together again
22:07 in today's' world.
22:09 As we were talking before our time here this evening
22:13 I was really impressed with some of the things
22:15 that God is doing in this filed to bring about change
22:18 tell us a little bit about the experience
22:20 at the Southern Adventist University that
22:22 you're having there with some of the things
22:25 that the Lord is doing.
22:26 God has been incredible. At Southern Adventist University
22:29 some years ago we've had a dream
22:30 of starting a program in archeology
22:32 but we didn't have any artifacts
22:34 and I remember telling Dr. Blenko,
22:36 our dean, at the time
22:37 we don't have anything
22:39 we don't have anything in that area
22:41 it was a matter of miraculous events
22:43 one that happened after the other.
22:45 that we ended up a few months after that period
22:49 with one of the largest teaching collections
22:52 of ancient near eastern history artifacts.
22:54 in the United States of America.
22:56 from the largest graduate program in archeology
22:59 at the University of Arizona.
23:00 It is now housed at Southern Adventist University
23:03 and we have a state of the art new museum
23:05 that we just opened a year and a half ago.
23:08 that's had over 5000 visitors already coming
23:11 to come to see how the Bible comes to life
23:14 through these ancient vessels and these ancient artifacts
23:19 So we're seeing God working in a powerful way
23:22 I would like you to share just briefly, the testimony of
23:25 of the individuals instrumentally getting this
23:28 to Southern, because I think that's powerful.
23:31 Professor William Deever is the former
23:35 near eastern archeologist in North America today
23:38 he's in his seventies, when Times Magazine or News Week
23:41 wants to have any kind of information about archeology
23:44 to the Middle East concerning Archeology
23:47 he's the person they interview.
23:49 He travels all over the world
23:51 he's just published a series of three trilogies that
23:54 he's published over 40 books, 400 pure reviewed articles
23:57 this is the professor in this field
24:01 in North America
24:03 and he's not a Christian, he's an agnostic
24:05 But when he came to Southern Adventist University
24:08 in 1999 and saw our campus and saw what we were doing
24:11 on the way to the airport after that visit, he said
24:14 You know Michael, you have something here
24:16 that we haven't seen at the public university in years
24:20 he says, I believe that you have a mission
24:23 you have students that believe in a mission
24:25 you have faculty, you have staff you have administration
24:29 there's something here,
24:31 a common purpose that I haven't seen for a long time
24:34 I believe that the future of this discipline
24:36 is in a place like this
24:37 where there's still love for the Bible.
24:39 Amen.
24:40 So we have this museum at Southern Adventist University
24:47 there are lots of Adventist universities
24:49 that have this kind of program?
24:51 We are actually one of three institutions
24:55 around the world that are teaching biblical archeology
24:58 from a Christian perspective.
25:02 There are only three.
25:03 And as the discipline has become more secularized
25:07 seminaries and other programs have closed down
25:10 because they no longer see a need for archeology
25:13 but the secular world at the same time
25:15 is looking for what is happening
25:18 and I think it provides some tremendous opportunity
25:20 in the time in which we live, the end time.
25:22 to be able to use this tool
25:24 for the furtherance of the Gospel.
25:26 I want to close out by asking Rusty a question
25:29 one more question. Rusty tell us briefly what
25:32 what could someone tonight here do
25:34 if they wanted to learn more about the field of archeology?
25:39 I think the first thing that I would do is go to the website
25:41 of Andrews or Southern Adventist University
25:44 and see what's available, not just for yourself
25:47 but when you come across other peoples' paths
25:49 where they're questioning the authenticity of the Bible
25:52 especially with the Da Vinci Code
25:54 the powerful effect that it is having
25:56 and yet it's just all fiction
25:58 people don't know.
26:00 and we must lead them to the truth
26:01 so the evidence that they support
26:04 that the Bible is a true document
26:06 not just a spiritual world of God
26:08 but it can also be supported historically
26:11 it is an effect
26:12 so we go to the websites and check on what universities have
26:15 and maybe if they have enough an interest
26:18 take the time to go visit
26:20 these universities personally. Amen
26:22 Dr. Hassel in closing share with us
26:24 how this has been used in your recent series with Mark Finnley
26:28 Mark Finnley just finished a fantastic series
26:31 at the Chattanooga Convention Centre
26:32 over he period of June to July
26:35 and he approached me some months ago and said Michael
26:39 I believe we need to do something in archeology
26:41 together as a preseries to those meetings
26:43 I've done it once before,
26:44 but I've not done it with an archeologist
26:46 Let's work together and put something together
26:49 for this. So we had a five night series.
26:51 in Chattanooga, not knowing what to expect
26:54 but 650 people came out from sending out
26:57 20000 handbills.
26:59 the second night 765 people were there
27:02 at the end of that particular series
27:05 as we transitioned into the main revelation of hope meetings
27:08 we had nearly 300 people transition
27:11 from the archeology meetings
27:13 into the Revelation of Hope meetings. Amen
27:15 That is phenomenal when you think about
27:17 the kind of success we've had in the past
27:19 and I believe in the secular world in which we live
27:21 people are looking for answers
27:23 they're asking the question
27:25 Is the Bible true? Can I trust the Bible today?
27:27 We can provide those kind of answers as 7th day Adventist
27:30 Thank you so much for sharing with us tonight, Rusty
27:34 Rusty and Don Cross. Thank you.
27:36 Good evening folks.
27:37 We have another fantastic story to share with you
27:41 Luther Keith is from the Wildwood Health Retreat
27:44 Tell us Lou, what's happening at the Wildwood Health Retreat
27:47 The Lord is changing men's' hearts
27:50 we are using natural methods
27:53 to deal with unnatural complex problems.
27:56 Most of the people the Lord is sending to us for help
27:59 they have chemical dependencies
28:03 depression, anxiety, stress eating disorders
28:05 and other things that come with those problems
28:09 So recently you've been in a recent project
28:14 you've been involved with at the Wildwood Health Retreat
28:16 I think our main projects are in
28:19 I almost want to say new building
28:22 unless the Lord builds the building
28:25 they do labor and labor in vain
28:27 So we've been building a health center
28:29 for the last two and a half three years
28:31 but during that process the Lord is building men.
28:36 Tell us about this Health Centre project
28:38 how that came about.
28:41 When Moses lead the children of Israel
28:45 through the Red Sea
28:47 when they completed their journey
28:49 there was no doubt that it was not Moses
28:52 it was the Lord that had opened the way.
28:56 And I'm glad the Lord has worked in such an astonishing manner
29:00 in building our health center
29:01 that we know that all the glory goes to God.
29:05 So I have a few pictures
29:07 that I'm going to show you,
29:08 I'll give you a very brief background
29:11 on these Amish people that were living
29:12 in the northern part of our country
29:14 they became interested in our
29:18 ministry.
29:19 We've been working in an old farm house
29:21 we could take two or three guests at a time
29:24 But these Amish people, they contacted us
29:26 and they offered to come down and build us a new facility
29:30 they would bring all the materials
29:32 Amish business men out there would give them the costs
29:38 and they would help us.
29:40 Amen.
29:41 and the day came and they said all we have to do
29:43 is prepare the foundation.
29:45 So the day came
29:46 when we had the foundation ready
29:48 we had almost no finances
29:50 we had very little staff
29:52 we had no time, we were covered up in work
29:55 but we were able to get the foundation prepared
29:58 and the day came.
30:00 I was told, I never met an Amish person in my life
30:03 I knew that they rode boogies
30:04 and they had beards, but that's all I knew
30:06 so that morning we were expecting him to arrive
30:09 I was looking for two vanloads of Amish people
30:12 I was told there'd be an old group
30:14 and there'd be a young group.
30:17 So the first vanload pulled up
30:18 these young men got out
30:21 I thought it was the children
30:23 in the first group coming.
30:25 But these children ages 11, 13, I think 14, 16 and 17
30:29 these Amish children built our Wildwood Health Retreat
30:33 7th day Adventists were in the church
30:36 lifestyle center.
30:37 So I'm gonna show you a few pictures of that
30:40 these were some of the young men that got off the van
30:44 pulled out their pencils
30:46 and they began to build.
30:48 they were twelve all together.
30:50 this was the young group.
30:51 The old men were 19, 22, 23, 24 and 25
30:56 I was the oldest one there.
30:58 In two and a half days
31:01 they framed up our 4000 foot, six patient lifestyle center
31:05 These are the older men
31:07 If they could stop the pictures just every now and then
31:10 is looking back two years now.
31:13 So the walls were being framed up,
31:15 we were putting everything up next one
31:19 and by the way it's been 300 Amish people
31:23 over almost three years.
31:24 It wasn't just framing up the building
31:26 it was the wiring and the plumbing
31:28 the Lord kept sending them back
31:30 over and over and over again
31:32 they brought wife and children with them
31:35 as you can see they bring their children with them.
31:37 My wife is working in the house
31:40 with the ladies, teaching them how to make bread
31:43 talking to them about health
31:44 They don't know a lot of health.
31:46 We've got a message that they need very badly
31:48 and they're opened to hear it.
31:50 So this is getting toward the end of the first day
31:55 they're starting with the walls at the second floor
31:57 These young men have become very good friends
32:00 I really appreciate these
32:01 the man there in the middle I think was the youngest one
32:04 I think he was twelve or thirteen years old
32:05 I'm not sure
32:07 but they're doing a lot of the work
32:09 the other men are handing up the materials
32:11 and I'm helping them too.
32:14 Will you stop there for a second?
32:16 This young mans' name is Lester
32:18 as we were building that morning
32:20 I'm not even sure if Amish people are Christians
32:24 I'm terribly ignorant regarding Amish folks
32:27 maybe you are too
32:29 but I asked this man, we are working together
32:31 you can see the band aid on his little finger
32:33 a piece of ply-wood fell on his finger and almost cut it in two
32:36 I offered to take him to the doctor, he said no
32:39 just tape it up, so I've put two popsicle sticks,
32:41 taped his finger up, I was his right hand
32:43 the rest of the day and I worked closer to this young man.
32:46 And as we were working,
32:48 he said: what must I do to be saved
32:51 question out of Acts 16
32:52 I said believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.
32:55 Than I asked him: do you believe the Bible?
32:58 he said yes, I said do you believe every word?
33:00 authoritative, infallible word of God?
33:03 He said yes and from that point forward
33:05 we had a vibrant conversation
33:08 and we spent the evenings having a Bible study
33:11 with all those Amish people
33:13 we were sharing with them some facts
33:15 they were sharing with us some fellowship
33:17 the nicest evenings I've ever spent in my life.
33:19 Next picture
33:20 Amen.
33:21 So this was the end of the first day.
33:23 And it was amazing to watch these twelve men work together
33:27 By fifteen years of age most Amish people
33:29 can frame up a house from bottom to top.
33:32 I think there they passed us up a little bit in industrial lines
33:35 This is midway through the second day
33:39 and they're getting the rafters on
33:40 and this was
33:43 toward the end of the second day
33:48 and this is... next
33:51 I was inside helping Lester when the roof went on
33:54 and all I could hear were just
33:57 these nail guns going
33:59 And than when I came out to look and turn and see
34:01 what the Lord had done
34:04 I could just say: praise the Lord.
34:06 Amen.
34:09 This is one of the last projects
34:12 these dear Amish missionaries did for us
34:14 Lord sent them down
34:16 and this young man that's kneeling on the styrofoam
34:19 he had a concrete company
34:20 It's Christ in the Market Place,
34:22 but they're not 7th day Adventist
34:24 they're working for 7th day Adventist ministering to
34:26 7th day Adventist
34:27 he's coming down from up north
34:30 brought all his equipment with him
34:32 and made a nice picture, I think you can see it
34:34 made us a nice double wide driveway for our health center
34:37 and still say praise the Lord.
34:41 it's finished now
34:42 we've been taking guests now for probably a year
34:45 and this is the last picture.
34:47 And this is my wife, on your right
34:50 and some of these
34:53 kind folks that the Lord sent down.
34:59 We have a beautiful health retreat now
35:01 at the Wildwood health retreat centre
35:04 True.
35:05 and you have touched the lives of not only
35:08 those people who came to help you build it
35:11 but I hear in your own life that you have been
35:14 touched by this.
35:17 My own life.
35:18 It's interesting that the Lord has called me to work
35:21 in this kind of ministry.
35:22 Because 14 years ago, 15 years ago
35:26 I've never heard of the 7th day Adventist
35:28 I was in a pit of alcoholism and crime
35:31 and without God, without hope
35:34 and He did a miracle in my life
35:37 great miracle of grace, my wife was pregnant
35:40 I brought her at Wildwood hospital
35:42 for help
35:43 didn't know they were 7th day Adventist institution
35:45 and I met 7th day Adventists
35:48 I found the Gospel
35:49 and now I'm doing to others as the Lord did on to me.
35:52 Amen.
35:58 Thank you. That's true.
36:04 That's certainly something to praise the Lord about, isn't it?
36:08 tell us about a life that has been changed
36:10 by the work you're doing there at the health center
36:13 I told Steve backstage I could think of
36:17 many, many, many lives that have been changed
36:20 and the one that I think is changed the most
36:22 it's been my own.
36:25 Because one or two things that I've noticed
36:28 first of all, the facility doesn't matter
36:31 we were in an old farm house now in a new building
36:34 it doesn't matter how ordinary the facility is
36:37 or how nice it is
36:38 it matters the people inside the facility
36:41 and who's living in their heart.
36:43 Amen.
36:44 And the medical missionary work that we're doing
36:47 I kind of see an insight that I didn't see years ago
36:52 We're not just helping them
36:55 we're helping ourselves. Can you say amen?
36:57 Amen.
36:58 As we reach out to minister
37:00 I have the slogan you have Christ in the marketplace
37:02 Our marketplace is a sanatorium
37:04 as we reach out to minister in the market place
37:07 we're not just helping them, we're helping ourselves
37:09 when Gods sends His people to get help from us
37:14 I'm not using John the Baptist' words
37:17 but I'm doing the same thing
37:19 I try to take our patients and say
37:20 Behold the Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world
37:24 And that's the message that John the Baptist was giving
37:27 and we're giving it, but maybe not so much with words
37:30 but with these natural methods that demonstrate
37:33 that we care for and we love these people.
37:35 Amen.
37:36 Thank you, we appreciate that testimony.
37:40 Welcome Sharon. It's good to have you here.
37:42 Most of you know Sharon Ericson
37:44 She comes to us from the great state of Minnesota.
37:47 Sharon, tonight we're here to talk about
37:51 something that God has
37:54 kind of dumped on you in a way almost
37:57 you never thought you were going to be in the radio ministry,
38:01 did you?
38:02 Absolutely not.
38:04 My husband and I knew nothing about radio at all
38:08 So God came along and He tapped you on the shoulder
38:11 lets talk a little bit about what's happened
38:15 to the ministry of your radio station.
38:17 I know that radio stations don't happen accidentally
38:23 No,
38:24 but you never know what's gonna happen when you come at ASI
38:28 So tell us how you got involved in the radio work.
38:31 Well, it happened about ten years ago
38:33 we came to ASI
38:35 and ASI really gave birth to KLPJ
38:39 We came to ASI and we walked in the exhibit booths
38:44 which houses many ministries
38:46 and as we were walking along we saw Livetalk radio
38:50 and we stopped to talk with the people at Livestalk Radio
38:54 and they said:
38:55 maybe it would be possible for you to have a radio station
38:58 in your town.
39:00 and as we talked the desire grew stronger and stronger
39:04 within our heart
39:05 and I suppose that was the most enthusiastic
39:09 we've ever been when we left an ASI convention.
39:14 So along the way, from that day until now
39:17 there have been a couple of hurdles.
39:20 Share with us some miracles that God has done
39:25 Ok. I'll be glad to.
39:26 When we left ten years ago from the ASI convention
39:30 almost as quickly as we got home
39:33 we were excited to make an application with the FCC
39:38 for a frequency.
39:41 It's interesting.
39:42 God knew that we did not know what we were doing
39:44 And I would like to bring this fact down
39:46 if God ever taps you on the shoulder
39:49 and asks you to do something
39:51 it's so easy to say,
39:52 But God, it's not something I can do.
39:56 And it's tempting to do that
39:58 but remember, if you venture out
40:01 God is happy to put the right people on your path
40:05 and the right circumstances in our path
40:07 to make it happen.
40:09 And that's what He did.
40:10 He brought someone from Duluth Minnesota to our home
40:14 who probably knows more about radio
40:16 than anyone else in the State of Minnesota.
40:19 Amen.
40:20 And he advised us
40:21 and than, Livetalk Radio,
40:23 advised us
40:24 and my husband got so excited
40:27 when we got home from that convention
40:28 ten years ago
40:30 he asked different people that would be in the listening area
40:32 we had to come to our church
40:34 and he inspired them about the radio
40:38 the only thing is, when they left
40:39 many of them were inspired
40:41 but they were thinking at what happened right away
40:44 and so did we.
40:47 So what we have now
40:49 God performing miracles
40:50 along the way,
40:52 and today we have a
40:55 tell us about the power of your radio station
40:58 Today, as of October 4, 2005
41:04 we turned on the knob
41:07 and we heard KLPJ.
41:09 89.3 Sebeka
41:12 broadcasting from Park Rapids, Minnesota
41:16 a hundred thousand watt Christian radio station
41:20 serving central Minnesota. Amen.
41:31 let me assure you that that is something to praise God about
41:34 because one hundred thousand watt radio stations
41:37 they're almost impossible to get
41:39 in our nation today.
41:41 So that is certainly something to praise God about.
41:43 so tell us about the impact
41:46 this radio station has had on your community.
41:50 Well, I will tell you about that
41:52 it's been a wonderful
41:56 influence
41:57 we use as our provider
41:59 who does the programming Livetalk Radio
42:02 and Livetalk Radio
42:04 has many programs that you're familiar with
42:08 like Breath of Life
42:10 and it is written in the Voice of Prophecy and Your Story Hour
42:15 it has Joni Erickson Tada
42:18 it has many, very very good
42:22 programs.
42:23 It has a mix of 60% music and 40% talk radio
42:29 so people listen to it
42:31 we've had people tell us:
42:32 I was driving along and I came to my destination
42:36 and I just couldn't get out of the car
42:38 because they haven't finished the program yet
42:40 Amen.
42:42 We've had other people say:
42:43 I just keep it tuned to 89.3 in my car all the time and listen
42:48 we've had people that are taking Bible studies
42:52 because Livetalk Radio offers discovery Bible course
42:57 probably 15 to 18 times a day
43:00 and people have an opportunity to know the Bible better
43:04 we have one young man that we know of
43:07 that is preparing for baptism Amen,
43:09 because he listened to KLPJ.
43:14 we have a hundred thousand watt radio station
43:16 in the State of Minnesota
43:17 What is your current vision for the rest of the State?
43:23 You know, we have a big vision
43:25 And I think the reason that we do
43:27 is because we've already seen God do big things
43:31 Amen.
43:32 And it strengthens you.
43:35 And I'll tell you that our vision is
43:37 our great hope is that we can extend the listening area
43:41 there are some large cities in Minnesota
43:43 that do not have a Christian radio station
43:46 and we're hoping that we can
43:49 increase the frequency
43:52 in hopes that some day
43:54 we will cover the whole state of Minnesota
43:56 Amen. All right. That's one state down
43:59 and a few more to go
44:01 If God is tapping you on the shoulder tonight
44:04 don't say no. Isn't that what you'd say?
44:07 I would say that God does talk to our hearts
44:10 and lots of times we still hear a still, small voice of service
44:15 and it's so easy sometimes because
44:17 we don't have self-confidence just to blow that away
44:23 But God is the great giver of help
44:26 and He does help us
44:28 and I would encourage you if God is asking you to do
44:32 any kind of special project
44:34 or anything that seems impossible to do
44:37 but that little voice keeps
44:39 calling you and calling you within your heart
44:42 just surrender and step out
44:45 and watch how God works
44:47 it's most interesting.
44:49 Amen. Thank you Sharon for sharing with us this evening
44:52 You're welcome.
44:55 I'd like you to say welcome to Frazier Mathis
44:57 who is here from Global Vessels.
45:00 Yes. Thank you, Steve.
45:04 All right. Frazier, tell us a little bit
45:06 about your involvement in Global Vessels
45:08 and what is Global Vessels about anyway?
45:10 Global Vessels is a nonprofit organization that
45:12 my wife and myself started about eight years ago
45:15 we are a non-profit organization
45:17 and we take individuals to third world countries
45:20 to build.
45:21 and recently we've been traveling to Africa to build
45:25 You're building things around the world with
45:28 who helps you build these things?
45:30 We solicit individuals from our churches
45:32 around the churches
45:34 ask them to come and go with us
45:36 it's strictly volunteer basis
45:37 and they come and help us to do the projects
45:39 that we try to do.
45:41 Originally, when you get involved in this outreach
45:44 to building things around the world
45:46 you are involved with Maranatha, is that right?
45:49 We initially started out in Ghana, West Africa
45:52 and I'd call Maranatha
45:54 I've done several projects for Maranatha
45:56 and I called Maranatha and said:
45:58 You know what I'll like to do in Africa?
45:59 And they said: Well, we're not going right now because
46:01 communism has fallen and we are in Russia
46:03 working as fast as we can
46:05 I said, Could you possibly send me the blueprints?
46:08 So Maranatha's sent me the blueprints
46:10 so I had the blueprints in my hand
46:12 and said: Blueprints, time to go
46:15 so we go to Ghana, we do the pre
46:16 trip we get there, we walk on the land
46:18 that we plan to build this church on
46:20 they agreed that we can build it
46:21 so I come back to the States
46:22 I go to my church family and say:
46:24 Guys, lets go build this church in Ghana.
46:27 And people looked at us kind of strange because
46:29 we didn't have any money
46:30 we only had the desire to go
46:33 We got the group together and before long
46:36 36 individuals were willing to take their vacation
46:38 to go with us to this place we've never gone before
46:40 or to build this church.
46:42 The interesting thing about building a church
46:44 they were worshipping at a school at the particular time
46:46 and they were putting them out of the school.
46:49 So we were there encouraging them to build this church
46:52 we get there
46:53 we had to run the people out of the work site
46:55 in order to work
46:56 because they have never witnessed so many people
46:58 working on one building
46:59 because in a lot of third world countries
47:01 you see buildings that are partially done
47:03 and you think they are abandoned
47:04 they're not abandoned, they pay cash
47:06 so they didn't have the money to complete the building
47:08 we had the money to do it
47:10 we were working
47:11 and everybody was standing around the work site watching us
47:13 we had to shoe them out of the work site
47:14 so that we can actually build.
47:16 All right. Praise the lord.
47:18 So you've been involved in a variety of projects
47:20 over the years,
47:21 what is the current focus of the
47:24 of Global Vessels Organization?
47:27 To show how awesome God is
47:29 each year, this is our eighth year,
47:31 each year we start out with no money
47:34 Everybody say that: No money
47:36 Not a dime.
47:39 We decided we want to go and build this orphanage
47:42 in Tanzania.
47:43 in the process of building a clinic,
47:45 we passed this orphanage every day.
47:48 One day we said: lets go in and see what it's like
47:50 We'd go into this orphanage, Steve
47:52 we go in there and this one man, by himself
47:55 single-handedly, going into the city
47:58 rescuing these children,
47:59 his parents are deceased because of AIDS
48:01 and bringing back to this house
48:03 two bedroom house, with 23 children in the house
48:07 They're sleeping on the floor, on dirt floors. I go back to the
48:10 group working on the clinic
48:13 I said: Guys we gotta do something
48:14 what are we going to do?
48:15 Some of them said: Lets raise some money
48:17 pass the hat, we passed the hat
48:19 we gave money, they said: what are we gonna do?
48:21 I said ok, we're gonna go buy them some clothing
48:23 we've got a big, huge, fifty five gallon drum
48:25 we filled it with water, brought it back
48:27 heated the water, bathed the children
48:29 put clothes on their backs, Amen
48:31 the woman were bathing the children and crying
48:33 the children didn't understand why they were crying
48:35 everybody's crying, they're bathing the children
48:37 because the children needed a touch.
48:40 They touched the children
48:41 so we complete that project of bathing the children
48:43 and we're on our way back home
48:45 but everybody kind of looks at me and says:
48:46 Ok now, what are you going to do about those children?
48:49 what do you mean?
48:51 What are you gonna do? I said I tell you what we're gonna do
48:53 we're gonna go back next year,
48:54 we're going to build an orphanage village.
48:57 No money.
48:58 All right.
48:59 No money. How are you gonna build an orphanage village
49:01 when you don't have any money.
49:03 Because God has all the money.
49:04 And all of his biting are enabling.
49:07 And I believe that.
49:08 So we go back, we gather our forces
49:10 the union there donates the land to us
49:12 and we begin to raise money
49:15 trying to build this orphanage village with ten houses.
49:18 And I guess they can show a picture now
49:19 we have a few photos, lets do those photos here
49:24 and let you see a little bit about the beginnings
49:26 of this orphanage that's being built
49:28 over there by Global Vessels.
49:30 You can see right now,
49:32 this is the very first portion of
49:33 everything that's hand made
49:35 huge blocks we do on on the foundation
49:37 everybody there volunteers
49:40 you have to have the blocks dry, at least one day
49:42 so we let them out in the sun and they dry
49:45 and we're anxiously waiting to start erecting the building
49:47 This is the finished product, by the way
49:50 Amen.
49:51 Beautiful.
49:57 Five bedrooms
50:00 two baths, a kitchen, living room, dining room
50:02 These three gentlemen you see right there
50:05 they called me, they saw us on 3ABN
50:06 they called me on the phone and said
50:08 we wanna go with you.
50:09 I said: great, come and go.
50:10 They said: well there's a problem,
50:11 I said what's the problem?
50:12 I'm 78, my brother's 74 and his cousin is 72.
50:15 can we go?
50:17 Amen. I said, sure you can go
50:18 get a medical clearance and you can go.
50:20 They called me back, we've got a medical clearance
50:23 and I said, come on.
50:25 These three gentlemen worked so fast
50:26 they were just phenomenal.
50:29 in the work that they were able to do.
50:30 these are some of the children
50:31 who are displaced in the orphanage
50:33 there, in Tanzania
50:35 that's where we're working
50:36 we also had clothing that we were able to bring
50:38 we brought clothing
50:39 we were distributing clothing to the ones that were there
50:41 there's so much to do
50:43 and very few people were there to do it.
50:45 Interesting story, right here
50:47 one of the ladies who was there
50:50 working with us every year for the last two years in Tanzania
50:53 hard worker
50:55 we were helping one of the children go to school
50:57 the principal called me inside and said:
50:58 do you realize where she lives?
51:00 I said, I don't have an idea.
51:02 he said, let me take you to her house
51:03 You're sending her daughter to school, that's great but
51:06 let me show you where she lives.
51:07 We go there and she's living in a twelve by twelve
51:09 this is her house
51:11 with four children
51:12 sleeping on the floor
51:14 this is Friday, we come back to the States, Tuesday
51:17 and I said, Priska, we're gonna come
51:19 and we're gonna build your house
51:22 She said: You only have two days left
51:23 I said, don't worry, we're gonna build it
51:24 I said: we come Sunday
51:26 we're gonna tear the house down
51:27 and we're gonna start building it.
51:29 we got there Sunday, Steve
51:30 her and her girlfriend had tore the house down
51:34 she had swept the floor
51:35 so we had to build our house.
51:39 She had no place to live, we had to build her the house
51:43 That's faith, isn't it?
51:46 Oh, yes. Amen.
51:47 So we start building on the house
51:49 we left there with them doing some of the finishing touches
51:53 on the house.
51:54 So what are the needs of the Global Vessels ministry?
51:56 We need a couple right now.
51:58 Husband and wife team
51:59 maybe one child to be and direct there
52:01 of this project in Tanzania
52:03 We need individuals who would like to go
52:06 and volunteer six months, three months, a year
52:08 who'd like to go and work there
52:10 with the ten children, each house
52:12 has ten children, a house parent
52:14 and a nanny to help you.
52:16 So we need volunteers to come and help us do that
52:19 Folks, you've heard it, go to globalvessels. or
52:21 globalvessels. org, our booth is 228
52:25 228, come by, see us, come and go with us.
52:28 Come on. Amen.
52:29 Come and go with us.
52:30 God bless you.
52:31 Thank you, Frazier. Appreciate it.
52:33 Good evening.
52:35 And this evening we have next
52:38 Elisabeth Gonzales.
52:40 Welcome to ASI and I know you're involved in ASI
52:44 tell me what you're doing with ASI.
52:46 Actually, I'm the president of the Atlantic Union Chapter
52:50 ok, that's one job
52:51 what other job do you do?
52:53 Well, I have a personal ministry
52:56 because I think if you are going to lead
52:58 one of the best ways of leading is
53:00 is leading by example.
53:02 So you have a ministry, and what else do you do?
53:05 Actually, what pays the bills
53:08 is my home health care agency
53:10 that I operate in New York City
53:13 All right. Tonight we're going to focus
53:14 on the ministry that you have though
53:16 Tell us about how you got involved in the country of
53:20 Guyana and what the ministry is about.
53:23 Ok.
53:26 I happen to have been born in Guyana
53:28 and I've always been supporting several projects around Guyana
53:33 But they wanted a school, and I was going to help them
53:37 get the furniture and do all that it took
53:40 to get the school on foot.
53:42 Turned out that it was not working out that way
53:44 and so we plunged right in
53:47 got a building
53:49 and got school started
53:51 So you have a school in Guyana,
53:52 how many students did you start with?
53:53 We started with 23 students
53:56 so the Lord blessed you with 23 students
53:58 you started school in Guyana
54:00 how has God been leading in this ministry?
54:04 Ok. This is a marvelous, miracle story
54:08 the school is now two years old
54:12 we've got two buildings now
54:14 and 300 students. Amen.
54:21 Along the way God has done a few miracles
54:25 Yes. He has.
54:26 Is there any specific miracle you'd like to share
54:28 something the God has done, that comes to mind
54:33 Everything about Christian education
54:36 is the way it shapes the ways of young people
54:39 Amen.
54:40 and you see a real fulfillment and you get your real joy
54:43 when you see young peoples' lives changed.
54:47 I have gotten several emails from parents
54:50 who said that their kids were in public school
54:53 they were losing grades, they were behaving badly
54:56 they were developing habits that were unsatisfactory
55:00 they took them to our school
55:02 and our school became the hospital
55:05 one of those students, now in baptismal class
55:09 Amen.
55:10 One is getting ready to graduate
55:12 and there's several more stories of that sort
55:15 coming out of the school.
55:17 So God is using this ministry
55:19 not only growing the ministry
55:21 but is using this ministry to change lives.
55:24 Yes He is. And I think this is what brings a real joy
55:28 When you see lives changed.
55:30 And when you hear stories of people who
55:33 might have been totally lost
55:36 finding their way and finding their future
55:38 that we hope will be a Christian future
55:42 and one that is preparing them not just to go out
55:45 with a certificate
55:46 but to learn that their first allegiance is to God
55:50 to their family and to their country.
55:54 So what I hear coming through, Elisabeth
55:56 is that you have a passion for this work
55:59 Yes I do.
56:01 Why is this?
56:03 Why do you think that God has laid this burden on your heart
56:07 I sometimes wonder because
56:09 I started out just thinking that I was going to help in some way
56:14 and when you find that it's not going the way you wanted
56:17 and you really wanna see it happen
56:19 I think the Lord just enables you
56:22 and just continues to urge you
56:25 and we go ahead and believe me
56:27 it's not until you put your feet in the water
56:30 that He really parts the sea.
56:33 This has really been my experience
56:35 in working for the Lord.
56:36 As these young people attend school
56:40 and as they learn and grow in this Christian environment
56:43 their lives have been changed
56:46 you've mentioned one young person or two
56:50 that you're thinking of specifically
56:53 is there some story you'd like to share with us about
56:55 a certain young person or anything you can think of
56:58 that speaks about a specific testimony of one young person
57:01 that comes to mind?
57:02 One that I think of all the time
57:06 is a young man who is now in baptismal class
57:09 because one day, a lady was walking on the street
57:13 she met another lady and they just started talking casually
57:18 and than she said to her:
57:19 you know, I was having real problems with my son
57:24 and I sent him to a school that's a couple of blocks away
57:27 and his life has changed so dramatically
57:31 it turned out, the lady who she was speaking with
57:34 was one of our workers from Adventist World Areas
57:38 who are also in Guyana
57:40 and she immediately emailed me, she said
57:42 Elizabeth, my heart was just so thrilled today
57:45 when I heard this wonderful story.
57:47 Because you could see the emotion in the lady
57:50 she really found she was losing her son
57:53 he had been involved in many, many ill things
57:57 and I let her speak to the head-mistress of the school
58:00 and she told me about the prayers, the encouragement
58:03 the difficult moments
58:05 but the final victory, when the young man decided
58:08 he wanted to be baptized.
58:10 So I think that was such a marvelous story
58:13 not only for the young man,
58:14 but I'm sure the impression,
58:16 that has been made on that mother
58:18 will in time do something to lead her to the Lord, also
58:22 Amen.
58:25 What would you recommend to someone here,
58:27 who's listening tonight or who's sitting in our audience
58:32 As God has lead you in this process,
58:34 what could you say to someone here
58:37 that would help them make that decision
58:39 to follow God's leading?
58:42 There is work out there for all of us
58:44 Amen.
58:45 When you think of need, you don't have to look very far
58:50 and what we have to start with is a willing heart
58:53 of wanting to help them
58:54 and as long as we are willing
58:56 and we ask God to show us the way
58:59 He, in the most marvelous ways
59:03 opens ways for us.
59:04 keeps us going
59:06 and crowns all of our efforts with success.
59:09 So, I would want to say
59:11 try it,
59:12 and you wouldn't be sorry.
59:14 The satisfaction I get from the stories I hear
59:17 makes me so happy
59:19 that money couldn't possible buy those emotions.
59:23 And what I do now is not only work on this earth
59:27 but it's preparing souls for Gods' eternal kingdom
59:30 Amen. Thank you, Elizabeth
59:31 thank you folks for your attention tonight
59:34 and as we have shared these wonderful stories
59:37 about how God is working through ASI members around the world.


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Revised 2014-12-17